Chapter 7

At the hospital, I politely watched the doctor leave, then pulled out my phone and smirked.

What were these few injuries?

The more Damon Blackwood lost control of his actions, the more he humiliated me, the more he pushed Seraphina towards me. This was exactly what I wanted.

Damon Blackwood, just wait for your public disgrace.

Power, wealth, love… everything will ultimately be taken by me.

I smiled, sent a few messages on my phone, and soon completed the discharge procedures.

When I returned to the office, everyone seemed surprised to see me.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, I carried the documents I was supposed to give Seraphina that morning to the CEO's office door.

I politely knocked, and when her cool voice answered, I pushed the door open.

After forcing myself to report on the work, I turned to leave.

But I stumbled, bumping into a chair, which drew Seraphina’s attention.

“My apologies, Ms. Thorne, I’ll leave now.”

“Wait a moment.”

Seraphina walked over to me.

“Are you avoiding me?”

My vision swam for a moment, but I didn't forget to keep my distance from Seraphina.

I staggered back two steps, then quickly explained:

“You misunderstand, Ms. Thorne, I’m not avoiding you.”

Seraphina instinctively reached out to steady me. As she came closer, she noticed the mingled scent of alcohol and antiseptic on me.

My body instantly stiffened, and I immediately tried to pull away.

But Seraphina firmly guided me to sit on the sofa.

She looked at the bruises on my face, sighed softly, then took a box of ointment from a first-aid kit.

She dabbed some out and gently applied it to my face.

I was forced to look up. I glanced at Seraphina, then awkwardly closed my eyes.

After applying the ointment, Seraphina noticed that my hands, clenched on my lap from tension, had wrinkled my trousers.

My face was also flushed from holding my breath.

She sighed, a hint of exasperation in her voice.

“Do I smell bad? You’ll suffocate yourself if you keep holding your breath.”

Hearing that, I finally remembered to breathe.

I gasped a few times, then looked at Seraphina, slightly flustered. I hastily explained:

“No, Ms. Thorne, you smell wonderful… Ah, no, I didn’t mean to offend you…”

I nervously stood up, bowing to Seraphina.

“Ms. Thorne, I truly have no ulterior motives for you. I just want to earn a decent living…”

All her life, Seraphina had heard countless declarations of love from accomplished men.

This was the first time someone had been so desperate to distance himself from her.

Seraphina felt a rare flicker of annoyance, but seeing my body sway from pain, unable to stand steadily, she softened and gently pulled me back onto the sofa.

“Why are you so quick to deny it? My intentions towards you are professional, so whether you harbor ulterior motives or not is irrelevant to me.”

“I’m just showing concern for a subordinate. Besides, these injuries on you were Damon’s doing, weren’t they?”

Hearing that, I froze for a moment, then my eyes darkened.

The flush on my face faded, replaced by redness around my eyes.

Seraphina opened her mouth, confused about what she had said wrong.

Just as she was about to ask, there was an urgent knock at the door.

I frantically covered my eyes, then, supporting myself on the sofa, stumbled to my feet.

“Ms. Thorne, I apologize for taking up your time. I’ll go back to work now.”

Before Seraphina could say anything, I fled as if escaping.

She frowned, watching me leave, and only after a long moment did she turn back to her work.

By the time Seraphina finished her meeting and emerged, the sky was filled with stars.

She saw me standing by the back door of the company, smoking a cigarette, my expression forlorn. She paused, then decided to approach.

Just as she was about to speak, she heard a surprised male voice from my phone.

“Dude, don’t tell me you still haven’t told her yet!”

I took a drag from my cigarette, my voice heavy.

“Tell her what? She has a boyfriend now. It would only cause trouble if I told her. I think it’s better not to.”

“How can you just let it go? You’re getting soft as you get older, aren’t you? You spent all that effort getting into Thorne Enterprises, becoming Seraphina Thorne's personal assistant, wasn't it to spend more time with her? If you give up now, what was all that wasted time for?”

“You’ve liked her for so many years. To be close to her, you defied all of us, chose to re-study, got into Eastwood University. How much hardship did you endure, how much prejudice did you face, just to work at Thorne Enterprises? Even if she rejects you, you have to tell her how you feel.”

“And if you ask me, that Blackwood guy isn’t any good. The reason you’re covered in injuries now is because of him, isn’t it? Aren’t you afraid that if she marries him, he’ll abuse her?”

“He wouldn’t dare!”

As if speaking too quickly, I coughed violently a few times before recovering.

“If he ever dared to do that, no matter what it costs me, I would fight tooth and nail to take Seraphina away from him.”

“But right now, she seems happy. I shouldn’t ruin that. Besides, she’s the boss, I’m an employee. Our statuses are inherently unequal. I just want to quietly be there for her, support her. As long as she’s happy, I’m content.”

“Alright, talk later. I need to bring Ms. Thorne dinner now. She hasn’t been eating properly these past few days; I don’t want her stomach issues to flare up again.”

With that, I extinguished my cigarette, picked up the insulated bag of food, and turned to re-enter the building.

But the next second, I met Seraphina’s gaze.

“Ms… Ms. Thorne?”

Seraphina slowly walked towards me, a playful smirk on her face.

“Asher, is this what you meant by not having any ulterior motives for me?”

Even though I forced myself to remain calm, my beet-red earlobes betrayed my inner embarrassment.

“Ms. Thorne, I know I’m not good enough for you. I never dared to hope we could be together.”

“I joined Thorne Enterprises to help lighten your burden, and also… also because I wanted to be near you. As long as I could see you every day, I’d be satisfied.”

“Please… please don’t fire me. I promise I’ll keep these feelings hidden and won't affect your relationship with Mr. Blackwood. I just see how tired you are and wanted to help you, even if my ability is small. As long as you can relax a little, I’ll be content.”

As I spoke, I placed the takeout container in front of Seraphina.

“Ms. Thorne, you probably haven’t eaten since the meeting, have you? This is from The Gilded Spoon, which I specially packed for you. It’s still warm.”

Seraphina looked at the still-warm meal in the insulated bag, her throat suddenly dry.

“The Gilded Spoon isn’t cheap, and you have to reserve a table in advance. You…”

I smiled brightly:

“But Ms. Thorne, isn’t The Gilded Spoon your favorite? After a busy day, being able to eat your favorite meal is the happiest thing I can imagine. Ms. Thorne, please eat slowly. I’ll go back to finish my proposal now.”

With that, I placed the food in Seraphina’s hands.

The moment the motion-sensor light came on, Seraphina saw the sweat on my face and my sparkling eyes.

It wasn't until my figure was completely obscured by the elevator doors that she slowly snapped out of her daze.

As her heart pounded in her chest, a complex, indescribable emotion bloomed in Seraphina’s eyes.

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